Most quality professionals recommend a core set of attributes as the nucleus of any quality improvement process. These attributes include: (1) clarifying job expectations; (2) setting quality standards; (3) measuring quality improvement; (4) effective super‐vision; (5) listening by management;...

Identifies critical factors that must be practised to achieve effective quality management in an organization based on the synthesis of literature on quality concepts. A framework to be used by organizations to evaluate their quality practices was developed. A field study was conducted to...

The most important issue facing manufacturers is maintaining the improving product quality, since quality is related to long‐term competitiveness as measured by market share and profitability. Firms are implementing many different quality programmes to improve quality. Many times these...

Develops a framework which provides a step towards better planning of production, scheming inspection and preventive maintenance. Studies the effects of an imperfect production process on the optimal production cycle time. The system is assumed to deteriorate during the production process and...

Looks at the construction industry’s approach to quality management by focusing on the sector of civil and structural engineering consulting, with an in‐depth study of one company in particular. Examines the premiss that the industry does not really understand total quality management, but...

Reports on research into the attitudes and behaviours of senior executives with respect to ISO 9000. The study was carried out in Northern Ireland among 682 organizations in the public and private sector using a postal questionnaire as the survey instrument. Reviews the criticisms and concerns...

When trying to establish quality management in a service industry one is confronted with a particular set of problems due to the distinctive characteristics of service processes. Describes the assessment procedure for service processes using a case study obtained from the sales department of a...

Argues that because of the many inherent weaknesses of traditional empirical research, generative and case study approaches may be more useful methodologies for conducting research on quality management. Outlines ways in which the generative research model builds conceptual frameworks from the...

Contends that in order to be successful with many quality improvement techniques ‐ such as TQM, empowerment, re‐engineering and continuous improvement ‐ it is vital that employees be able to articulate their ideas and inquiries. An atmosphere that facilitates and encourages brainstorming...